My reaction? Cleary has been a warrior for the Red Wings but injuries over the last few years were an issue for him. He has slowed down and even though only 34 years-old, his body has taken a beating and it is time for the Wings to giving more ice time to the younger players.

For fans not familiar with Cleary, watch below a HNIC After Hours segment he did in March of this year.

Comments

He’s been a hell of a player for the Wings, a real utility player who can do it all. He will be missed, for sure.

He can still compete right now, his game is still pretty good. But will it be at the end of this contract? I don’t know. If it is, then the Flyers got a pretty good player that they probably overpaid for a little bit. If his knees go before the end of the contract, its going to look like a bone-headed move.

Posted by
John
from Pittsburgh, PA (Wings fan for life!) on 09/10/13 at 08:34 AM ET

I think it’s a good contract for Philly even with the injury risk. I would’ve been happy if the Wings had the cap space (or even more so, simply the playing time) and were able to make this deal.

Cleary is still a good player for a team looking to go far in a playoffs and that needs someone to show younger players what it takes to win. Winning teams have players like him giving it all for the team.

The Wings have a few others players that can already do that and younger players that hopefully will be able to replicate the offense and defense Cleary would also provide the team.

I liked the man and am happy he was a Wing, but there is no role for him right now on this team.

I just wish he was going to play in a city and for a team I didn’t hate so much.